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[alotmorehorrible]

"Not here right now, go on and leave a message."

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[alotmorehorrible]

Yeah? What sort of comfort's on the table here?

[krasnaya_smert]

Alcoholic sort aside, there are a few physical options as well. I have swords, guns, fists...

[ Talia allows the sentence to trail off, the ghost of a smirk haunting her features. ]

[alotmorehorrible]

Sounds like you might want something more than just a fight, love... you don't have to be shy.

[There's a grin that comes to his own lips, playful, interested... it's a good distraction.]

I've got a bed and some drinks here... Seems a shame to venture too far from my suite.

[krasnaya_smert]

Ohh, Billy Butcher, I am anything but shy, da? There are no rules saying it can't be both.

What's your suite number?

[alotmorehorrible]

222.

See you soon?

[krasnaya_smert]

[ Waverley's room, and one short of being her neighbor. Which is why she doesn't bother texting Billy back, because Natalia is now knocking on the door. ]

[alotmorehorrible]

[He gets the door-- and pauses a bit at the sight there, eyes taking in an appreciative look over.]

Now, that can't all be for me.

[krasnaya_smert]

[ Instead of stating the obvious (she has bows on), Natalia quips -- ]

You didn't tell me we're almost neighbors.

[ And she juts a chin in the direction of her own suite, one door down. ]

[alotmorehorrible]

Well, you never asked.

[There's a grin as he motions her inside.]

Come on, then. I promised you a drink... what's your usual poison?

[krasnaya_smert]

Mm. Touché. And vodka, please.

[ Per the usual routine, Natalia subtly catalogues his shared suite; exits, weapons, things that can be used as a weapon, personal details to giveaway his co-inhabitants. ]

Are we alone?

[alotmorehorrible]

[Vodka it is. He excuses himself to the kitchenette to get their drinks. The suite is, for the most part, tidied up he thinks. He doesn't deal with much outside of his own room, never really left his mark on this suite. Getting too comfortable seemed like a bad idea.

But his room has been straightened, anything he's gathered to use as a weapon neatly tucked away for now.]

Yeah, the suitemates are out as far as I know. [He returns to her, offering her glass.]

[krasnaya_smert]

[ She softly murmurs 'spasibo' while taking the glass and immediately knocking some back. While noting Butcher's drink of choice for future reference, Talia wonders -- ]

And who would the suitemates be, if I may ask?

[alotmorehorrible]

[Whiskey is his vice tonight, but fuck it, he's not all that picky. At the question, he shrugs his shoulders.]

Waverly, Sara... Castiel? [It's obvious he's not all that close with them, but he was courteous enough to learn their names at least.]

Last one's not around that much anymore.

[krasnaya_smert]

[ Her features perk up at the recognition of one of those names. ]

Waverly's friendly with my own suitemate, Aiden Pearce. We cleared out some of the basement rooms together. ((a beat)) I like her well enough.

[alotmorehorrible]

Yeah? She's too fucking sweet for hell.

[Gave him a box of chocolates for Christmas without even knowing him, made a point to chat him up. He's pretty sure the kid belongs wherever the hell she comes from.]

Plenty of those types around here.

[krasnaya_smert]

I won't argue with that.

[ As Natalia takes another sip, she pauses with the drink at her mouth and realizes -- ]

Oh, fuck me, I was supposed to bring alcohol.

[alotmorehorrible]

Nah, it's fine. I've got plenty stashed here.

[She remembered that rather flattering dress, so they'll call it even.]

We won't run dry.

[krasnaya_smert]

Between Ray and his whiskey and my vodka, feels like our room doesn't either, despite him drinking enough alcohol for the whole suite plus yours.

[ With a raised glass in gratitude for not being held accountable, Natalia finally takes the delayed sip. She moves closer to the middle of the living space, throwing glances at each visible door. ]

Speaking of too sweet for this shithole...

[ Nat gives Butcher a pointed look then, a level of sadness hovering beneath the surface. She wasn't nearly as close to Hughie, but his departure is still hitting. ]

[alotmorehorrible]

It's a good thing.

[That Hughie's out. So why the fuck doesn't it feel like it right now?]

He'd have not lasted a fucking day down here, some of the shite that happens. And if he did, he'd--

[Be broken, changed. Hughie didn't deserve that.]

[krasnaya_smert]

[ Nat drifts close enough to place a hand on his bicep, her smile too sad to be anything joyful. ]

I've discussed it with others. That it's selfish and fucked up to want people from home here with you, but it's a difficult thing to not want. And sometimes the people I wait for, I know that they've done things to land them here. I don't wish for the others all that often. And...I like to think between the two of us that we could keep Hughie grounded and as whole as anyone can be here. We'd be his support system.

[ It's implied that she means to Butcher's if he'll have her, the hand on his arm squeezing supportively. ]

[alotmorehorrible]

[His eyes trail to her hand as it drifts to his arm briefly.]

I don't know what I bloody want anymore. [It's a soft admittance. To make Homelander suffer like the cunt should? Even that doesn't hold quite the same amount of pleasure when the cunt doesn't even know him past the bastard with a grudge, know everything that happens after.

Still, he's not about to sit here in a nice puddle of self pity, so he gives a shake of his head.] Yeah, well... Hughie is easier to keep in line. One of the best. I know what I am.

[And he knows she might not want to get involved in it, so the best he can do is give her an out while there's still a chance.]

[krasnaya_smert]

[ Having not released him, Natalia shifts her hand along the lines of Butcher's arm and crooks her pinky with his. From over her vodka, she hums thoughtfully, like she's heard this line numerous times before. ] And what's that, Butcher?

[alotmorehorrible]

Didn't you see enough with the sharing and caring experience? [He was more like his dear father than he ever cared to admit. A monster. Nothing at all like Hughie, nothing at all like his brother...]

[krasnaya_smert]

I saw someone being tricked into a situation they clearly chose to never be in again. People can't choose blood, but they sure as hell can choose their family. [ Read: Hughie. ] I saw that same someone thus promptly triggered by past traumas that haven't been properly worked through. So, if you're trying to say that you're some dangerous monster, I call bullshit if that's my only evidence to go off of.

[alotmorehorrible]

You haven't seen even half of it, love.

[The shite he did for Becca, nearly to Becca... all because he wanted her back. The shite he put his so-called mates through. He might not regret doing it, but that doesn't mean he can't recognize it makes him a bit of a fucking cunt.

Still, he doesn't want to get into it. Instead, he leans in a little bit closer to her, meets her eyes.] But you're a bloody adult, eh? Won't say no if you want to stick around... especially right now. Got a few drinks to finish off and I won't do it alone.